Imaginary Bed Bug Bites
Bugs, bedbugs, mites, spiders, and other insects frequently annoy people and cause them to itch, scratch and worry. Sometimes this is a real occurrence. Sometimes it is purely imaginary and if not resolved, may lead to nervous disorders, imagined itches, excessive scratching, bleeding and even extreme fear of pests that do not exist.
If you are one of the growing numbers of people that are being “bitten” by something, but you can’t see it, then don’t feel all alone.
Sometimes, the “bugs” may be real. Sometimes they lay totally within the mind of the affected individual. If you are faced with the possibility of an imaginary infestation, a very careful and thorough examination of the premises should be conducted before applying any pesticides.
It is important to know that itches can be caused by many things. Of course the number #1 suspect is always the bite or invasion of certain pests known to bite humans, such as bedbugs, fleas, lice, certain mites (but not house dust mites), ticks, some species of thrips or psylids and so forth. If there are no signs of any bites, or bite marks, and you cannot see any visible bugs, then the chances are that the problem is not insect related, and is an “itch”.
If however, small red dots do exist, then diagnosis of those dots needs to be performed. In cases where a single red bump is visible, there is a good chance that it is a spider or insect related bite. If there are multiple red dots or bumps, then a diagnosis needs to be made by a qualifed physician. Petechia is a very common disorder or condition where a small red or purple spots have caused bleeding into the skin. If Petechia is a consideration, then you absolutely need to consult with your Doctor.
Other Itch Causes Include:
- Seasonal allergies.
- Sky dryness, especially in the winter.
- Soaps and shampoos used in bathing.
- Static electricity.
- New clothing, allergic reactions to dye’s, chemicals.
- Airborne irritants.
- Dermatologic conditions.
- Reaction to medications.
- Systemic diseases such as diabetes, chicken pox, and many others.
- Excessive scratching that can lead to itches and skin related disorders.
Bug and insect bites usually have a red swollen center and contain “pus” which can be either whitish-yellow or yellow-brown due to a pyogenic bacterial infection.
Common irritants encountered in the workplace or other environments include tiny airborne particles of paper, metals, ceramics, fiberglass fibers, or other insulation materials. Exposure to chemicals, changes in temperature or humidity (seasonal changes, like the dryness that occurs when the winter heating season begins), or simply reaction to scratching due to some other condition may be involved.
Imaginary Bed Bug Bites
Even if you’re lucky and don’t end up having them, the process of figuring that out can be almost as stressful, time consuming and crazy-making as actually having bed bugs. Here’s what you’re in for.
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ITCHING
They say that bed bugs tend to bite in clusters, so naturally any kind of red bump constellation is cause for concern. Unfortunately, doctors can’t diagnose bed bug bites just by looking at them — they can only make an educated guess. Your best bet is finding a bug.
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INSPECTION
The best way to confirm whether or not you have bed bugs is to find one. If you can’t do that, you have to look for signs they leave behind — extra skin, eggs and feces. So yes, in between biting you and driving you crazy, these little jerks still have time to reproduce and poop in your bed. That’s enough to make you want to throw it away.
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RESEARCH
This stage is dangerous and unless you have overwhelming evidence that you have bed bugs, it’s nothing to mess with. Even if you are sure you have them, the Internet is not your friend. It’s a place to confirm what a bed bug looks and call an exterminator. Beyond that, it will lead you down a weird wormhole of message board horror stories that will transition you sleeplessly into the stage of full blown…
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PARANOIA
You’ve likely felt one or more imaginary bugs crawling on you just reading this, or at least I did while writing it. It’s an inevitable consequence of the inspection and research stages that ends in so many trips to Home Depot that you consider applying for a part-time job there.
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ACTION
Between all the laundry and alarming your roommates alone, thinking you have bed bugs can turn into A full-time job. Remember that it’s not your responsibility to turn yourself into an exterminator overnight. It’s actually dangerous and irresponsible to take on chemicals you’re not experienced with. Most states and cities have laws holding the landlord financially responsible for handling the infestation, which means hiring a professional to handle it. Unless you want to spend months with your clothes in garbage bags, wait until this process is in motion to even bother with the laundry.
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INSANITY
The longer you’ve spent on the first five stages, the worse the insanity will be. You’ve invested so much time, energy and money that even if an exterminator tells you don’t have bed bugs (either at all or anymore), you refuse believe them. It’s like you’ve developed Stockholm Syndrome for these nightmare bugs and you can’t imagine life without them — mostly because it feels like they ruined the one you had before. Don’t worry, they didn’t.
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ACCEPTANCE
Whether they turn out to be bed bugs or not, at the end of the day they’re just bug bites and they’re only an issue if you scratch them. The impulse to obsess over the possibility is just another itch to steer clear of. Worst case scenario, you have them and they’re not forever. Second worst case scenario, you spend too many months and too much money thinking you have them and don’t. Either way, you’ll come out of the experience with more compassion for anyone in a similar situation… and maybe a good exterminator referral.
List Of Imaginary Bed Bug Bites
- 3.5-ounce tube of Benadryl Extra-Strength Cooling Itch Stopping Anti-Itch Gel for fast cooling relief from skin pain and itching from most outdoor itches
- Provides relief from most outdoor itches associated with insect bites, sunburn, scrapes, minor skin irritations, burns, and minor cuts
- Soothing anti-itch gel also provides relief from itching associated with rashes caused by poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac
- Cooling gel formula contains 2% of the topical analgesic pain reliever diphenhydramine hydrochloride that works by blocking histamines to relieve itches associated with several ailments
- Intended for use by those ages 2 and up, soothing gel offers itch relief for kids and adults alike and is great to keep on hand during outdoor activities such as camping, hiking or taking a walk with the family
Additional Info :
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 6.35 Inches |
| Width | 2.43 Inches |
| Length | 1.47 Inches |
| Weight | 3.5 ounces |
| Release Date | 2015-06-22T00:00:01Z |
- Pull out a block without crashing the stack to win at Jenga
- Includes 54 Jenga hardwood blocks, stacking sleeve with instructions
- Simple, solid, and timeless
- It takes skill, strategy, and luck. Challenge yourself or play with friends
- Win by being the last player to remove a block without causing the stack to crash
Additional Info :
| Color | Multi |
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 7.9899999918502 Inches |
| Width | 6.2599999936148 Inches |
| Length | 1.7299999982354 Inches |
| Weight | 2.2 Pounds |
| Release Date | 2018-03-01T00:00:01Z |
- Removes insect venom, saliva, and other irritants left under the skin using suction
- By removing the irritant, the body stops producing the reaction that is causing you to itch & swell
- Works on: mosquitoes, bees, wasps, biting flies, no-see-ums, chiggers, sea lice & more
- Compact, lightweight, reusable and easy to carry
- Clinically Proven, kid friendly, 100% guarantee
Additional Info :
| Color | Single |
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 1 Inches |
| Width | 3 Inches |
| Length | 5 Inches |
| Weight | 0.01984160358 Pounds |
- SAFE AND CHEMICAL FREE – Created with your kids in mind. Our grid-relief technology works mechanically not chemically to relieve itching and swelling cause by insect bites. Feel good about fighting the itch without harmful chemicals for your kids, babies and toddlers!
- INSTANT, CONVENIENT, EFFECTIVE – Simply place a Magic Patch on a bite and the itch disappears. Relief from itch within 30-60 seconds! Our Magic Patches are waterproof and can be left on for up to 7 days! Easy to apply and environmentally friendly.
- HOW IT WORKS – The grid shape technology mechanically adjusts the skin to help the lymphatic system drain the saliva injected by insects, relieving the itch response naturally and drug-free!
- KID FRIENDLY, PARENT APPROVED – Kids love the colorful patterns that are comfortable to wear and fast to apply. Parents love that they can keep their babies, toddlers, and kids itch free without the harmful chemicals.
- MULTI USE FUNCTION – Perfect for babies, toddlers, kids, and adults. Convenient, small package is perfect for on the go and travel. Easy to store in pockets, diaper bags, and first aid kits. Helps relieve itch from mosquitos, midges, sandflies, and ticks. Helps relieve pain from ant bites and bee stings.
Additional Info :
- IMPROVES APPEARANCE OF ACNE SCARS AND STRETCH MARKS – Clinically proven to help repair skin damage and scars from pregnancy, surgery, injury, acne, C-section, aging, and more. Bio-Oil is non comedogenic and a great acne scar treatment for face.
- PACKED WITH POWERFUL, NATURAL OILS – Vitamin A Oil promotes the formation of new collagen and assists in skin renewal, increasing skin elasticity. Vitamin E Oil, Chamomile Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Lavender Oil are anti-inflammatory and promote healthy skin.
- LOCKS IN ESSENTIAL MOISTURE WITHOUT CLOGGING PORES – Uniquely formulated, non-greasy body oil that hydrates skin and helps retain moisture to repair scars without clogging your pores. Effective acne scar healer and anti-aging face moisturizer for women.
- HELPS SMOOTH UNEVEN SKIN TONES – Works naturally to improve the appearance of uneven skin tones, for light and dark skin tones. Mineral oil, one of Bio-Oil’s base oils, works both as an emollient, which keeps the skin soft and smooth, and as a moisturizer.
- FORMULATED FOR ALL SKIN TYPES – Keep Bio-Oil Skincare Oil on-hand to ensure the whole household is covered. Helps soften skin and repairs damage for all types, tones, textures, and areas of your skin. Bio-Oil is safe to use during pregnancy.
Additional Info :
| Color | White |
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 5.75 Inches |
| Width | 1.75 Inches |
| Length | 1.75 Inches |
| Weight | 0.2625 Pounds |